90 Children, 35 families, 19 cities and over 1000 miles driven.

Have you ever questioned God? Have you ever asked, “Why”? Usually this is because something did not go as we had planned, right? Is this not a lack of faith that every Christian faces from time to time? This is our lesson for our Angel Tree delivery for 2019.

You see, the last several years we have been delivering to 35-50 children in the Texas Hill Country and have been blessed with monetary donations over and above the gifts being purchased. The extra money we use for other needs the families may have and children we were not aware of. So this year we were blessed with over 80 children. Read more…

Your Word… “My lips pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes. My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.” Psalm 119:171-172

Titus Halder of New Life Fellowship Riders in Bangladesh, who works tirelessly presenting the story of Jesus to children and youth in villages around his home, yet often many miles away, has also received funds for Bibles in September. He has reported how wonderful it is to be able to give Bibles as a new dimension to his ministry as he was not able to do so without our help. He was happy to give a Bible to a shopkeeper in a tea shop, a Muslim school administrator, and a rickshaw puller as he goes where he is led.

Pastor Joshua Mochumbe in Sirare, Kenya also received funds for Bibles in September and gave several to women in his church, Sirare Church of God.

All contributions for Bibles are released on a rotating basis among all the ministries so that all receive funds periodically, typically every 2-3 months; more frequently if possible based on donations. The funds sent will usually purchase 10 Bibles in the people’s native language.

Of the many needs of our international ministries, that of putting the Word of God in the hands of people who have never owned – or in some cases – who have never touched a Bible is probably the greatest.

Thanks always to those who have contributed to support and strengthen these ministries with Bibles, PA systems, tents/chairs, medical care, housing, burial expenses, and a wide range of needs. We are consistently hearing reports of people being saved, spirits being cast out, healing from disease and infirmities, and growth in membership of these churches.

Though many needs are unanswered, the praises of God’s provision and faithfulness overcome any frustration or doubt for He is on the throne and nothing is beyond His reach or beyond His knowing. Praise be to God!!!

Donate: https://www.facebook.com/donate/974984812852617/

In the final minutes of 2018 and the first minutes of 2019, my wife, Lou Ann, and I had the TV on in our bedroom for no particular reason; it just was on as we were preparing to go to bed after enjoying our time together sitting on our patio and roasting marshmallows. I had earlier in the evening thought we would start the New Year with a time in the Scripture but time had passed quickly. Only glancing at the TV, I realized what I was seeing and hearing – a message perfectly timed as only the Lord can do – an archived message not originally broadcast for welcoming in a new year, yet a message orchestrated for this exact moment by the One who stands above time.

The message was from 2 Kings when Elijah was coming to the end of his ministry and he had already called Elisha as his successor. On their final journey together, “After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. (2 Kings 9) Continue reading →

Fellowship Riders of the Hill Country

Once again, Fellowship Riders of the Hill Country and our supporting churches, Kendall County Cowboy Church and Wild Ride Ministries get set to participate in Prison Fellowship Angel Tree for children having one or both parents in prison.

Over the last couple of years we have assembled a really talented group of people that thoroughly enjoy the Angel Tree season, as well as being supported by two very generous churches. Feeling pretty confident I asked for twice as many children than ever before knowing we could handle them. When I received our list this year and realized that we were not getting our requested amount, but less than the last couple of years I become somewhat disappointed. Then after soaking it all in I realized I was only being selfish. I prayed that the reason for less this year can be summed up in one of two ways.

First….Could it be that there are a lot more parents at home with their children than before? Could it be that more parents are making better decisions by staying home and keeping the family intact? Continue reading →

When Hurricane Florence impacted the Carolinas with high winds and heavy rains with an estimated 55 fatalities from the storm – among the hardest hit – the city of Wilmington, NC was completely cut-off from the mainland by a strong storm surge and inland flooding caused by the high record-breaking rainfall, exceeding 30 inches in some areas.  Lacking utilities and other services for a number of days, conditions for many residents of Wilmington was difficult.

Responding to the needs of these struggling for even basic necessities, Davis Street UMC in Burlington, NC made an appeal in their community for funds and donations of needed items to be taken to a food pantry in Wilmington, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, that serves the homeless and others in the downtown area.  From that effort, fifty 5 gallon buckets filled with recommended basic supplies along with individual hygiene packs were prepared for those in Wilmington.

As the date approached for the delivery of these supplies, Fellowship Riders – Alamance County at Trailhead Church in Burlington, became aware of the opportunity to deploy its newly acquired trailer and partner with Pastor Edgar DeJesus of Davis Street UMC in taking these supplies to Wilmington. 

It is a joy to be the hands and feet of Jesus serving those in need, both physically and spiritually, “with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace” as it was on the morning we met to deliver the supplies.  While waiting on one of our group to arrive, a man came up asking for money, saying he was a painter and did not have enough work to keep him busy.  As we talked, he confessed he had suffered from alcohol abuse but was now sober (there was no odor of alcohol) and he said he had accepted Jesus as Lord.  The Holy Spirit stirred concerning his deliverance from the demonic attack of Satan on his life through the use of alcohol as we laid hands on him and prayed for his complete release from bondage and for a renewed walk with Jesus. 

All in all, it was a special event, a time of blessing and being blessed.  May the Lord be praised and exalted.

“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Last week Pastor Jared of Rigena Christian Church in Nyamarambe shared that while he and others from his church were visiting people in their community, they met Mary Nyomenda, a widow whose husband had died two years ago and her daughter is also sick. The church quickly arranged a fund drive to help repair or replace her home. He reported they had raised 7,000Ksh (Kenyan Schillings), approximately $68.00 U.S. Dollars, and members of the church donated posts, trusses, and rafters to build a new house.

“We want to build her a small house of 20 iron sheets. Hope if we get those funds the house will be completed plus paying the funds soon. We have now a lot of rain and in fact, I am fearing how she does.” Pastor Jared said they are needing 10,500Ksh or $108.00USD to complete building the house. Continue reading →

In the whirlwind of the activities leading up to the rally and afterward, it seems the event can now be viewed with a clearer perspective. From the inception of this event to call Christian motorcycle ministries and riders to gather in Sturgis more than 3 years earlier, Fellowship Riders were honored to contribute in a number of ways in supporting and shaping this event as the Lord gave direction.

Asked to serve as Program Director for 2018, I had no prior experience or predetermined direction; which was in retrospect exactly what was needed. 2 days before the first planning meeting, the Lord brought the word “reset”. Over the next 6 weeks, the Lord began putting form and direction to His desire to “reset” the content and purpose of the rally for 2018 which became immediately clear when He brought the next and final word of “revival” as the goal of the next Light Up The Hills Rally.

The Lord spoke that we were to come seeking “personal righteousness before a Holy God”, to be reminded “for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Over the next few months, the Lord opened and closed many doors in the process of bringing speakers with His message for us as individuals, as citizens of this nation, and as the Body of Christ. His selections were Jordan Morris of Together in the Harvest, David Barton of WallBuilders, Bob Smiley, and Pastor Michael Masambu, our dear friend from Alleluia Sanctuary of Praise in Kimilili, Kenya.

Looking back at the rally, there was evidence at every turn that the Lord’s presence was in that place, that lives were “reset” on a new path, that the Lord was worshipped and honored, that the truth of Scripture was spoken and heard, and that many left with something of eternal worth.

Ron Kidwell, President

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

In learning of the need for tents and chairs; with the dual purpose of sheltering people for our ministry’s activities and to generate rental revenue to assist them in becoming self-sufficient; a donor has provided funds for the purchase of our first tent and chairs – plus $200.00 to provide additional Bibles. What a blessing and cause for celebration among us and among our pastors!
With this first tent and chair donation, I challenge everyone reading this to consider adding your support as we continue efforts to provide tents and chairs for the other 3 ministries. As with the Public Address systems, we will provide these new resources to our pastors in the order in which they were accepted as affiliate ministries of Fellowship Riders; Rigena Christian Church in Nyamarambe being the first recipient. It is our prayer that we will be able to quickly follow with tents and chairs for Powered by Christ Ministries in Nakuru, Gesonso Christian Church in Nyamira, and lastly Alleluia Sanctuary of Praise in Kimilili.

Continue reading →

Romans 13:1 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.”

As our work among the Boda Boda progresses, it is important we comply with the authorities and regulations governing our ministries if we are to be true Ambassadors for Christ. To this end, we have successfully registered 3 of our ministries as CBOs (Community Based Organizations) in the counties of their home churches; Nakuru and Kisii. This step was taken to provide recognition among the local authorities and as another step toward establishing Fellowship Riders as a recognized non-profit in the nation of Kenya. That “next step” of registering in Nairobi as a faith-based non-profit organization is a priority as we strengthen the foundation of this Kingdom work.

Not waiting on the regulatory activities to be completed, our pastors are continuing to share the Gospel with the Boda Boda and their communities. As we had envisioned, our providing Public Address systems to our pastors has strengthened their churches and their outreach efforts.
Pastor Samuel Mbuchi of Powered by Christ Ministry in Nakuru has been taking his PA system to several Boda Boda stations and preaching the Gospel to both the Boda Boda and to all the clients who go in and out from these key transportation locations.

These efforts to take salvation to Kenya through the Boda Boda would not be possible without those of you who have contributed to the work of these pastors and their congregations. There are many things yet to be done as we follow the Lord and your donations are “seed for the harvest.” We thank you for investing in the Kingdom of God on the Earth and ask you prayerfully consider continuing to enlarge the Body of Christ in Kenya.

Psalm 90:16-17 Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

In the time since the 1st Annual Kenyan Leadership Conference in Nakuru, the Lord has shown Himself faithful and powerful among each of our ministries in Nyamarambe, Nakuru, Nyamira, and Bungoma County (Kimilili). Through the investment of several people into this amazing work of the Lord, we have been able to purchase 2 Public Address systems; one for Rigena Christian Church in Nyamarambe and one for Powered by Christ Ministries in Nakuru.

These PA systems have increased the impact of our ministries into the community by facilitating larger events and strengthening our affiliated churches. Church attendance and membership have grown as well as the number of people reached at every gathering with many testimonies of salvation and deliverance among the people. It has been reported that the atmosphere in these communities is changing, that there is a lingering presence of the Lord. To Him be the Glory. Continue reading →